Marottolo and Cotton Earn New England Hockey Journal Honors
6/10/2020 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
FAIRFIELD, Conn.- Sacred Heart University Men's Ice Hockey head coach CJ Marottolo was named by the New England Hockey Journal as the Atlantic Hockey Coach of the Year. Senior Jason Cotton was also named Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year by the journal.
Marottolo led the Pioneers to the Atlantic Hockey quarterfinals where SHU was named the second overall seed before the season was cut short due to COVID-19. The Pioneers finished the season with an overall record of 21-10-3.
"It's a team award any time a coach is selected as coach of the year in any capacity," Marottolo stated. Marottolo added that, "you have to have an amazing staff and tremendous hockey team around you to make this year the way it went. I was fortunate enough to have both."
This was the second season that Marottolo has posted 21 wins since the Pioneers advanced to the Atlantic Hockey Championship in 2009-10 when the Pioneers went 21-13-4. Under Marottolo this season, the Pioneers were able to clinch the inaugural CT ICE Tournament as they defeated both Yale and #17 ranked Quinnipiac to take the title. SHU also compiled an impressive 18-8-2 record while clinching non-conference victories over Boston University, Yale and Quinnipiac.
Jason Cotton had a career year on the ice as he led the Pioneers in scoring this season as he racked up a career high 20 goals alongside 17 assists for 37 points. He was named Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year, tabbed to the All-Atlantic Hockey First team and was a top 10 Hobey Baker Award finalist. Throughout the season, Cotton tallied three short-handed goals which gave him the accolade of him becoming the NCAA statistical champion. He also was named the inaugural CT ICE MVP. Cotton was the first Pioneer to sign a professional contract with the National Hockey League team Carolina Hurricanes earlier this year as well.
He was tied for fourth in point scoring (.96) in the conference and tenth in the nation in goal scoring at .59 goals a game. He was by far the best overall scorer, scoring three power play goals, three shorthanded goals, three game-winning goals, a hat trick. Cotton ends his Pioneer career playing 118 career games with 41 goals and 40 assists at SHU.
